Deccan Chronicle 04.11.2009

TN bans cricket on Marina beach

Chennai, Nov. 3: The Tamil Nadu government has banned playing cricket on the sands of Marina, the second longest beach, in the world. The decision to this effect was taken on Tuesday after a meeting in which state chief secretary, police officials and Chennai corporation officials participated.

Instead of playing on the beach, the government has asked the Sunday players to make use of 228 corporation grounds. After carrying out a crackdown on manja kite flyers in the city recently, the police on Sunday had created a flutter on Marina beach when they asked youngsters of this cricket crazy city not to play there.

The police action had triggered protests by players who even resorted to a road roko. A large number of teams used to play cricket on the service roads of Marina causing problems to casual beach visitors and damaging some parts of the construction through which the beach is being beautified by the corporation that is spending crores of rupees.

According to a press release from the Chennai city police, playing cricket on Marina may also cause physical hurt to members of public who are visiting the beach, besides causing damage to vehicles. “In the larger interest and welfare of the public, the police requests cricket playing youngsters to co-operate with the government decision,” the release read.